Quick wall repair in 4 steps

Photo 1: Apply the aluminum patch

Clean off broken edges and tears around the hole. Then cover the hole entirely
with the patch, sticky side toward the wall.

Photo 2: Cover with drywall compound

Spread the first coat of joint compound
over the patch with a wide
taping knife. Let it dry overnight.

Photo 3: Add a second coat

When it's dry, recoat the patch and
then feather out the compound on
all sides to make the patch blend in.

Photo 4: Sand and repaint

Sand the patched area with a
sanding sponge until it feels smooth
and even.

The traditional method of repairing
holes in walls is to square the hole,
put wood backing behind it, cut and
screw on a drywall patch, and then tape
the edges. Aluminum patches, available at
home centers and paint and hardware
stores for $2 to $4, give the same results
with much less work. The patches, which
come in 4-, 6- and 8-in. sizes, are stiff
enough to span holes and thin enough to
disappear after taping and painting.

Select a patch large enough to overlap
the hole on all sides by an inch, then stick
the patch on (Photo 1). Patches can be
cut or overlapped as needed.

Trowel on the first coat of joint compound
over the patch, spreading the
compound flat enough to see the outline
of the mesh through it (Photo 2).

Allow the compound to dry overnight,
then apply a wider second coat (Photo 3),
followed by a final, third coat after the second
coat dries. Spread the compound in
thin coats extending 8 to 12 in. beyond the
patch in all directions.

After the final coat has dried overnight,
sand it smooth, prime and paint (Photo 4).